8 minutes for this one, helped by the fact that the most unusual answer (at 10dn – and it was a long one) came up very recently in a 15×15 so it was fresh in … Read more “Quick Cryptic 390 by Flamande”
Month: September 2015
Sunday Times 4657 by Tim Moorey
Overall I found this a reasonably straightforward puzzle, laced with a handful of standout clues. Thought 19ac was excellent, 26ac was a very nice cryptic clue and 17ac a pleasingly groanworthy pun. 1ac was pleasantly … Read more “Sunday Times 4657 by Tim Moorey”
Mephisto 2870 by Paul McKenna – je ne comprends pas
With the exception of 1 Down a straightforward solve of average difficulty. I can make little sense of our French foray – je perplexe – all help gratefully received. Across 3 AFFRAPPING – A-FF-(w)RAPPING; folios=FF; … Read more “Mephisto 2870 by Paul McKenna – je ne comprends pas”
Times Jumbo 1164
I had to post this in a bit of a rush, so apologies for any errors that have crept in – please point them out and I’ll correct them as soon as possible. As always, … Read more “Times Jumbo 1164”
Saturday Times 26190 (29th August) –
I had some time on my hands last weekend so decided to do this one online, having had a lot of success with that method recently. Not with this one – 29:34 on the Club … Read more “Saturday Times 26190 (29th August) –”
Quick Cryptic No 389 by Izetti
No waffle today, busy schedule; I’ll leave the waxing lyrical to my French poetic friend. A nice balanced puzzle with nothing to frighten the horses. D = definition; DD = double definition; CP = cryptic … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 389 by Izetti”
Times 26,195: The Devil’s Helmet
With its strong classical references at 18ac and 21dn you’d have thought this one would be right up my stoa, but I found it a bit middle-of-the-road in practice, perhaps due to struggling with some … Read more “Times 26,195: The Devil’s Helmet”
QUICK CRYPTIC 388 by PEDRO
[Posted at 11:50: As noon approaches I’m not sure if today’s Quickie is covered. If there’s no news of it by 1:00 I shall post an emergency blog]. Posted at 13:33: 10 minutes for this … Read more “QUICK CRYPTIC 388 by PEDRO”
26194 Full of eastern promise.
A pleasant little number leavened by flashes of humour – enough for a laugh out loud moment for me – which I compassed in 16.53, including time for making sure I’d got all the wordplay … Read more “26194 Full of eastern promise.”
Times 26193 – well, I liked it.
This was another puzzle which at first sight had me wondering if I should give up my Wednesday self-mutilation sessions, but in due course yielded both the answers and some wry smiles, taking me half … Read more “Times 26193 – well, I liked it.”